₦airaland Forum

Nigerians will not vote Obi Just the Tip in 2027. They need a President with real balls!

Atiku is a force to be reckoned with. He also feels the stars have finally aligned in his favor. And although 2019 is thought to had been his best shot, this may be one of those “moment meets the man”. However the sheer force of Obi’s numbers and cult like follower-ship brings a challenge. His appeal across the youth & this younger generation is one profound aspect of his leverage.

Obi as a flag bearer with a strong Northern candidate would defeat Pablo on Election Day before our dear mother of the Nation — Aunty Remi finishes his breakfast around 12 noon.

The rebased GDP figure is truly disappointing.

It’s very hard to accept.

Prominent journalist and columnist, Sam Omatseye, has published a blistering retrospective on the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his presidency as an anticlimax marked by economic failure, bigotry, self-interest, and squandered public trust.

Omatseye, chairman of the editorial board of The Nation, a newspaper owned by President Bola Tinubu, published his take in an article titled Anticlimax, a day after Buhari’s death in London.

The piece offers a personal, historical, and critical lens into the life and leadership of the late Nigerian leader, whom Omatseye accuses of having “loved himself too much to love Nigeria enough.”

“We have never had a leader like Muhammadu Buhari, and we may never have one like him again,” Omatseye began, before going on to present a complex portrait of a man he said evoked images ranging from soldier-statesman to religious bigot.

He noted that Peter Enahoro, the celebrated journalist known as Peter Pan, had described Buhari as “deceptively gentle” in the 1980s, hinting early at the paradoxes that would come to define his career. “Since Peter Pan’s characterization in the 1980’s, in his first time as leader, Buhari changed his image as a sublime chameleon in many ways,” he wrote.

Omatseye said his own early impressions of Buhari were formed when he was General Officer Commanding (GOC) in Jos, encouraging the military to study the Constitution. As a young observer, Omatseye said he believed Buhari could bring “his spartan discipline to stanch the bleeding in the country.”

He described his support for Buhari’s presidential ambition in its early stages, stating, “I thought Buhari would bring his spartan charm and blend it with men of thinking and energy on the front row while he ran the country as a czar of corruption and due process.”

However, Omatseye said Buhari’s time in office failed to live up to that hope: “And that was the anticlimax of having him at the helm. He would govern with a purifying shadow, a sort of secular priest with his aura both cheering and chastening.”

According to Omatseye, Buhari ended up surrounding himself with a “cabal of antediluvian ideas,” citing the example of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami’s advocacy for open grazing. He called Buhari’s government “dead of ideas.”

“On the economy, he stood guard over a government that had no way to generate money except by printing and borrowing from China, among others. He gave us a debt of over N30 trillion in Ways and Means and several billions of dollars,” he wrote.

Omatseye accused Buhari of failing to improve the economy inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan. “Rather, he worsened the situation, and created an economy that had to be saved from itself.”

He described the former president as selfish: “Buhari, in the end, turned out to be a man who looked after one man: Muhammadu Buhari.”

Citing Buhari’s refusal to clearly support Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election, Omatseye wrote, “It was hypocritical that he did not even tell now President Tinubu that he did not want him as his successor.”

“Rather he put his weight behind former Senate president Ahmad Lawan. It reflected his lack of integrity, and even blatant hypocrisy as a leader,” he added.

Omatseye also pointed to Buhari’s economic policies during the 2023 election as an attempt to derail Tinubu’s candidacy: “He ran an election-period economy with currency and fuel scarcity that cast his APC in bad light and sought to undermine its candidate.”

Criticising Buhari’s time as both military and civilian leader, he said: “As military leader, he squeezed the economy in the name of enshrining a moral tone. In his time as civilian leader, he choked the economy and failed as a moral compass.”

“He might have made the claim that he was a moral leader in his first time with his war against indiscipline. In retrospect, it was discipline without imagination or conscience,” Omatseye continued.

“He visited Ibadan once as a fighter for the herdsmen, and it cast him as a bigot,” he wrote, accusing Buhari of enabling banditry through inaction: “There is a belief that he did not want the bandits to be killed, so our murderers blossomed on the blood and treasures of society.”

In a searing critique, he said, “Buhari was a tease. He promised with an air of pious devotion. He did not deliver.”

Yet, despite all this, Omatseye acknowledged Buhari’s enigmatic charisma: “His was a charisma of suggestion. He was no demagogue, no performer. If one, his was a demagogue of body language.”

“He was loved by both cow and man. He did less for man than cow, but cows never had a way of gratitude known to man, except men like him, perhaps,” he added.

Even in his condemnation, Omatseye conceded that “History may yet be kind to him in a few areas,” pointing out that Buhari made progress on rail infrastructure, particularly under the guidance of former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

“He lived a phenom and died a phenom. He was a hero to many, a man of unflinching tenacity. Even in death, his foes have nothing but admiration, bordering on curious affection,” Omatseye concluded. “Goodbye to a man among men.”

Peter Obi is naturally humble.

He used to do similar stuff when he was governor.

The first two times I met him too, at a hotel restaurant in Abuja (and this was at least two years before 2023 elections, so we can’t say it was election theatrics), I tweeted about my experience

Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey 2025 report, conducted by the Africa Polling Institute (API), has revealed growing citizens’ distrust and low public confidence in government and public institutions.

The poll revealed that 83 per cent of Nigerians expressed little or no trust in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and 82 per cent expressed the same sentiments in the National Assembly under the leadership of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Also, 79 per cent said they had little or no trust in the judiciary, under the leadership of the erstwhile CJN, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, and the current one, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

In comparison with previous editions (2019, 2021, and 2022), the data reveal that citizens’ trust and public confidence were at their lowest ebb.

The API report, unveiled at the weekend in Abuja, further indicated a weak state of social cohesion in Nigeria, with the index revealing 46.8 per cent

The survey further found that Nigerians now seemed to be united in shared struggle, especially as it pertained to their everyday lives, and the negative impact of the economic realities, as citizens constantly allude to economic hardship, high costs of transport, and goods and services, as well as the lack of economic prosperity under the Tinubu economy.

API, with the support of Ford Foundation, conducted a nationwide Citizens Perception Survey (CPS) to measure the state of social cohesion in Nigeria between January and February 2025.

A total of 5,465 interviews were completed via face-to-face household visits, using the Stratified Random Sampling technique, with citizens aged 15 years and above. The interviews were conducted in five major languages: English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba; and geographic quotas were assigned to ensure that all states and senatorial districts were proportionately represented in the sample.

Key findings from the 2025 survey revealed that 53 per cent of Nigerians “feel disappointed in Nigeria.”

ADC billboard spotted mounted somewhere in the North already 😂 https://t.co/RZxH2hl0Xq pic.twitter.com/sKxMZHvMbk

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) July 2, 2025

The unveiling of ADC as the coalition platform, along with the selection of David Mark, Aregbesola, and Bolaji as interim Chairman, Secretary, and PRO, respectively, is a strong move so far. The team and platform look formidable. I also appreciate the strategic decision by the coalition leaders in PDP to apply the Wike card by remaining in the party while building ADC. What's good for the goose is indeed good for the gander..

To take it to the next level and maintain the momentum and tempo, they need to launch a massive awareness campaign, plastering billboards, banners, and posters across the country. Dominating the airwaves with catchy jingles and a memorable party song, as well as flooding social media with the party's logo, would be crucial. These efforts should start immediately, nationwide.

Democracy relies on a strong opposition to hold the ruling party accountable. With the PDP struggling to fulfill this role, the emergence of ADC could provide the necessary checks and balances to ensure good governance. A robust opposition like ADC might push the APC to deliver better.

Tinubu hasn’t even left Kaduna, and the youth are already showing love by wrecking every billboard with his and Uba Sani’s faces on it. 💔

APC is clearly winning hearts everywhere. 😂
can’t wait to see who’ll be bold enough to campaign for this iconic crew in 2027

President Bola Tinubu, while conferring national honours on notable Nigerians on Wednesday, listed two living citizens as posthumous recipients, an error the presidency admitted after the Democracy Day Speech had been read.

While making his Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly, the president said that Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr Edwin Madunagu, pro-democracy activists and national figures, were awarded national honours in the posthumous category.

Fasoranti, the leader of the Afenifere was awarded with Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while Madunagu, a renowed professor of Botany, was awarded with the commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award.

Much later, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, claimed the categorisations were an oversight.

“During his Democracy Day address at the joint session of the National Assembly earlier today, President Bola Tinubu announced a list of pro-democracy activists and national figures to be honoured for their significant contributions to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria,” Onanuga said.


“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included.

“Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category. We sincerely regret this oversight. We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms.”

This is not the first time the presidency has goofed publicly and apologised or tried to cover up its errors.

On May 17, FIJ reported how the presidency claimed that Tinubu met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State to the Vatican, instead of Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.

After much backlash, the president was forced to delete the misleading post.

The Nigerian Government has responded to a petition alleging the distortion of Yoruba history in Nigerian school textbooks, particularly over claims that Ile-Ife—the ancestral home of the Yoruba people—was founded or first occupied by the Igbo.

The petition, titled Petition to Defend Yoruba History from Ethnic Distortion in Nigerian Textbooks, was submitted by the Concerned Citizens of Yoruba Origin and Supporters of Truth.

It was signed by the group’s National Chairman, Otunba Abayomi Odunowo, and addressed to the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), National Assembly Committee on Education, state education ministries, and other institutions.

According to the petition, two books—Standard History Studies for JSS 1–3 by Tony and Ijeoma Duru, and The Igbo: People, History and Worldview by Dons Eze and Chinedu Ochinanwata—contain false narratives that present Ile-Ife as originally settled by the Igbo before Oduduwa allegedly invaded and drove them out.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to a petition titled ‘Petition to Defend Yoruba History from Ethnic Distortion in Nigerian Textbooks,’ submitted by the Concerned Citizens of Yoruba Origin and Supporters of Truth, through its National Chairman, Otunba Abayomi Odunowo,” the Ministry said.

“The petition raises concerns over alleged historical inaccuracies in a history textbook authored by Tony and Ijeoma Duru, and published by Tones Publishers. The publication is said to contain claims regarding the founding of Ile-Ife that have been described as misleading and potentially harmful to national unity.”

The statement further said, “The Ministry wishes to clarify that the said textbook was not authored, commissioned, or approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.

“It is not among the instructional materials approved for use in public basic education institutions across the country, and the Ministry is not in any way affiliated with the publication.

“The Ministry appreciates the vigilance and concern of stakeholders regarding the potential of such content to misinform learners and provoke ethnic tension.

“While these concerns are valid, it is important to note that the Ministry is not responsible for materials that fall outside its regulatory framework.”

The Ministry, in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, stated that officially approved instructional materials are developed to meet national education standards and promote equitable access to quality education.

It also noted that the issue would be investigated in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and other agencies.

“All necessary steps will be taken to address the anomalies identified and to ensure a fair and timely resolution that respects historical truth and promotes unity,” it said.

“The Federal Ministry of Education remains fully committed to providing quality, inclusive, and culturally respectful education that fosters peace, understanding, and national development.”

Death happens to everyone. It is an appointment we will all keep. I will die one day. Those who defend President Tinubu will also die one day. Those who defend Peter Obi and other Presidential candidates or hopefuls will likewise die someday. Thus, we should not feel any moral superiority because a Tinubu supporter died, as though his death was a divine punishment.

It betrays the low level of a culture that is low like a vulture when we see the death of another person as a cause for celebration.

The only time I ever did that was on June 8, 1998, when I joined the spontaneous celebration in parts of Nigeria over the death of General Sani Abacha. My father was so displeased with me. He told me that doing it once was a weakness. But if I do it again, it will no longer be a weakness but a wickedness.

May God bless the family of the departed Jesutega Onokpasa and give them fortitude to bear their loss, and may the Almighty grant us wisdom so that our weaknesses do not become wickednesses.

Oh? So after going on national TV to stand logic on its head in the name of defending Tinubu, you still died? I thought joining APC made you immortal o. So you mean after everything, none of it mattered? Toh.

Foolish mortal man like me, what do I know

Figurative convergence of the road to mark Kilometre 30 minus the 17.4 kilometre stretch awaiting settling not literal convergence

Video Evidence The Commissioned Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Is 30 Kilometres, and Neither The Government Nor I Lied pic.twitter.com/yo2RJcgxbS

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 7, 2025

Interesting times, Nigeria.I expect the ministry to react and set the records straight

What is happening in Oke Ado ibadan? Who are the people selling off Oke Ado? Yoruba in Diaspora, when you go back home, some of you will weep bitterly for failing to join forces to stop the sales of Yorubaland. Oke Ado was the wall street of Western Nigeria, it has now become Ibos headquarters from information reaching me.

Dear @officialEFCC your attention is greatly needed here, how can President Tinubu’s Administration budget N393.2billion for a mere 1,477 streetlights, a whopping N266.25Million for just one streetlight Pole. this money alone is enough to Build a very massive streetlight Factory and put a permanent end to the streetlight problem all over Nigeria. Also another N114.53Billion was budgeted for just 538 Boreholes that’s a whopping N211Million to sink just one Borehole, this is completely ridiculous, and makes no sense, please kindly investigate this asap, this is a great injustice to every Nigerian.

As a young Nigerian, there is no positive behavior among the political class that makes you feel inspired about our politics. Not a BAT supporter, but I will say he is the most politically disciplined & consistent establishment politician in the last 26 yrs, bad governance aside.

Tinubu’s plan is to harmonize the southern votes and compete very well in the north; if the opposition fields a northern candidate, they will help him do just that.

Like I said, the opposition has the massive structures to sell any southerner in the north, but they don't have the structures to sell a northerner in the south as of today.

They must be very careful.

The Commissioned Coastal Road Not Up to 30Km As Claimed - Reality Check @realdaveumahi @officialABAT

The Commissioned Coastal Road Not Up to 30Km As Claimed - Reality Check @realdaveumahi @officialABAT pic.twitter.com/c65QzJsiFU

— Objectv Media (@objectvmedia) June 4, 2025

Tukur Buratai, a former Chief of Army Staff, has lashed out at President Bola Tinubu’s government for “radically and massively” pauperising Nigerians with its policies.

The former army chief, at the birthday lecture of former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Saturday, said although past leaders pauperised the masses gradually, the Tinubu-led government took a more radical approach to make Nigerians poorer.

“During the time of IBB, the Structural Adjustment Programme and the belt-tightening policies, the foreign exchange and deregulation started fully during IBB’s period. It went on to fuel deregulation.

“Under the Shagari era, Obasanjo’s presidency, Jonathan’s presidency and of course Buhari’s presidency, we saw gradual pauperisation of Nigerians. The poverty level continuously increased gradually,” Mr Buratai said.

He maintained that Mr Tinubu’s government increased poverty massively through a radical approach to its policies.

The former army chief stated, “The only difference with this Tinubu-led administration is that it came more radical. It is massive and sudden. It – poverty – was not gradual like the previous administrations.

“It has its own advantages. It shows a change from what we have been doing. We have been suffering gradually and smiling. But this time around, it came fully to show that we must get it right.”

Mr Buratai further berated the current administration for its insensitivity to the sufferings of the Nigerian masses due to its policies.

“The main challenge is the seeming insensitivity to the massive impact of government policies – poverty insecurity are real. We all know. We believe probably the second half of this administration will make a difference. Otherwise, I can see the coalition working hard,” Mr Buratai said.

Mr Buratai was the army chief under Mr Buhari’s government. He was in charge of the Nigerian Army when soldiers opened live rounds on protesters in 2020 during #EndSARS, a historic protest against police brutality.

Similarly, Mr Buratai championed the massacre of Shiite members who blocked his way as he journeyed through Kaduna State in 2015.

While he was in service, Peoples Gazette reported how ICPC operatives conducted an operation that led to the recovery of over N1 billion from Mr Buratai. In another report in 2021, The Gazette exposed how Mr Buratai cornered NDDC contracts as Nigerian Army general

The former National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, also said Mr Buratai could not account for the money approved to purchase weapons during their tenure.

Dear Mohammed,

Thank you for your feedback. I will not criticise Waziri Atiku Abubakar because I have benefited immensely from him, and I am not ashamed to say so publicly. I believe that it is wrong for a man to turn around and attack a person who has once shown genuine friendship towards him.

I cannot be objective keen talking about Waziri. I am partial because he was a benefactor in my life.

Our parting of ways was without acrimony, and Waziri himself is not a bad person. Far from it. Very far from it. Even if Waziri calls me an idiot, I will apologise to him for being one and still respect him as I have always done.

I am for President Tinubu. I will campaign heavily for the President. However, if I see Waziri in person, I will bow to greet him. If he says something I disagree with, I will not respond publicly.

My greatest desire right now is to reunite Waziri with Asiwaju.

As an Oton-Olu, it is beneath me to speak ill of a man who has done me no wrong, even if those around him, some of whom I hand-selected, wronged me.

Thanks again, and may God bless you.

#TableShaker

Tinubu's Achievements So Far:

- Changing the national anthem.

- Sharing rice.

- Buying a yacht.

- Renovating the VP's house for billions.

- Buying a private plane for the presidency.

- Allowing Wike to seize people's private property in Abuja.

- Allowing Akpabio to wear his Jagaban cap.

- Moving the dollar from #700/$1 to #1500/$1.

- Destroying Landmark Beach for an abandoned project.

- Threatening NYSC corpers while ignoring kidnapped corps members.

- Failing to register Nigeria's Olympic athletes.

- Buying SUVs for senators.

- Building houses for judges.

- Allowing a #50 deduction on every #10,000 transaction.

- Increasing electricity tariffs from #1k to #4.4/kWh.

- Increasing import tariffs-cars included-by 100%.

- Creating an official office for his son (First Son of Nigeria).

- Increasing federal government school fees.

- Keeping old naira notes in circulation because of where they were hidden before the election.

- Dividing Hausa, Igbos, and Yorubas, turning them into enemies.

- Increasing the "Japa" rate among Nigerian youth.

Seyi Tinubu tried to use his Daddy's influence to famz the new Pope and got bounced. 😭

Seyi Tinubu tried to use his Daddy's influence to famz the new Pope and got bounced. 😭 pic.twitter.com/pmJg8V6y2B

— Aji Bussu Onye Mpiawa azụ 🇨🇮 (@AfamDeluxo) May 18, 2025